India: Great Expectations Bangalore, India
NEW CHINA: IMPACT OF THE CHINESE CONSUMER India: Great Expectations India is widely expected to be one of the fastest growing economies in the world despite challenges of poor infrastructure, a complex regulatory environment and a low-skilled labor force. The optimism towards India can be attributed to its favorable demographics, growing domestic consumption and scope for economic reforms. India s growth profile is creating exciting investment opportunities for long-term investors. Fast-growing Economy In a world where slower economic growth has become the norm, India stands out as having one of the world s fastest growing economies. India s gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to grow 7.6% this year while world GDP is projected to only grow 2.4% (chart 1). Over the past two decades, India has been overshadowed by China. However, with China s economy slowing, India s future growth is now expected to outpace economic growth in China and other developed and emerging economies. Political and economic reforms, along with increased consumer and investor confidence, have supported India s economic growth. As the Indian government continues to drive the economy forward, more reliance would be placed on the manufacturing and service sectors as the engines of growth. Chart 1: India is projected to be one of the world s fastest growing economies Annual GDP Growth 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 % India Emerging Markets World 1 Developed Markets Beneficiary of Lower Oil Prices 215 216F 217F 218F F=Forecast. Source: World Bank, Global Economic Prospects June 216. Forecasted numbers are projections and not guarantees. Supporting the economic growth story in India is the lower price of oil. Since mid 214, the price of oil has declined by around 6% (from $113 per barrel in June 214 to $47 per barrel in August 216 1 ). As one of the world s largest importers of oil, the Indian economy significantly benefits from lower oil prices. The Indian government utilized the downward trend in oil prices to help reduce the country s current account deficit. Over the past few years, India s current account deficit has steadily declined. For the 1 Bloomberg, based on brent crude oil. 215-16 fiscal year, the current account deficit stood at $22.2 billion or 1.1% of GDP, significantly down from a high of $88.2 billion in 212-13 or 4.8% of GDP (chart 2). Though oil prices have rebounded since reaching new lows in the beginning of 216, they remain significantly below their 214 peak. Current oil price levels are likely to continue to be beneficial for India. India s improved current account balance should contribute to more stable government finances which, in turn, ought to help the economy gain momentum and boost investor confidence. Chart 2: India s declining current account deficit 1 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 US Dollars (in billions) 211-12 212-13 213-14 Current Account Deficit (LHS) 214-15 215-16P % of GDP Emerging Market Experts 3 6 5 4 3 2 1 % of GDP (RHS) P=Preliminary. Fiscal year ends in March. Source: Reserve Bank of India. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL INVESTMENTS Youthful Advantage India is the world s largest democracy with a population of about 1.3 billion people and boasts having one of the world s largest and youngest workforces. Currently, 62% of the population is under the age of 35 and this is forecast to increase to 67% by 22, significantly higher than the rest of the world (chart 3). By 22, India is expected to account for 28% of the world s workforce. India s workforce will have an average age of 29 years compared to 37 years in China and the US and 45 years in Western Europe. 2 India s young and growing workforce is favorable for the country s competitiveness by providing benefits such as a low-cost labor force, improving labor productivity, and an expanding domestic market. India s de facto national language, English (as a result of the country s history as a British colony), is also a positive differentiation relative to other emerging markets for many global businesses. If India is able to meet the challenge of creating enough jobs for the existing workforce, raising education standards and producing skilled workers, the country would have a significant advantage in global markets. Chart 3: India has one of the world s youngest populations Population Under Age 35 (%) 7 65 6 55 5 45 4 35 3 21 India Developing Markets 215 World Emerging Markets F=Forecast. Source: US Census Bureau. Forecasted numbers are projections and not guarantees. 22F Apollo Hospitals Apollo Hospitals is a leading private sector healthcare services provider in India and operates one of the largest hospital networks in Asia. With a network of 69 hospitals and over 9,5 beds, Apollo Hospitals is wellpositioned to benefit from demand growth from a rapidly growing middle class in India. The company s revenue grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 18% from 211 to 216. Revenue Indian Rupee (in millions) 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, FY211 FY212 FY213 FY214 FY215 FY216 Mirae Asset Global Investments may or may not hold positions in the companies discussed and this is not a recommendation to buy, hold or sell these companies. Source: Apollo Hospitals Annual Report. Financial year ends in March. 2 Ernst and Young, FICCI, Reaping India s promised demographic dividend. 4 Emerging Market Experts
INDIA: GREAT EXPECTATIONS Rise in Consumption Younger consumers typically have more spending years ahead of them and a higher propensity to spend. Naturally, an increase in disposable income should also lead to more spending. India has indeed experienced an upsurge in consumerism as a result of higher incomes. From 29 to 215, annual incomes and consumer spending have more than doubled and these upward trends are anticipated to continue (chart 4). As the India consumer moves up the consumption ladder, spending behavior and patterns will inherently change. Discretionary spending is likely to increase as Indian consumers gain more awareness, demand better-quality products and seek more aspirational items such as cars and smartphones. According to India s largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki India, the local car market in India is projected to reach 5 million units in annual sales by 22, up from 2.7 million units in 215. 3 By 23, India is forecast to have the second largest consumer base, after China, in the world. 4 The sheer scale of this consumer base attests to the vast investment opportunities presented by India s domestic demand story. Chart 4: Income and consumer spending expected to continue growing Indian Rupee (in billions) 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 29 215 Annual Gross Income Consumer Spending 22F 23F F=Forecast. Source: KPMG-FICCI. Forecasted numbers are projections and not guarantees. Britannia Industries Britannia is a leading food company in India with access to more than half the Indian population through their retail outlets. The company has the advantage of understanding the local palate and the demands of the rising middle class in India. Britannia has seen a steady increase in net profit over the past six fiscal years. Net Profit India Rupee (in millions) 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, FY21 FY211 FY212 FY213 FY214 FY215 FY216 Mirae Asset Global Investments may or may not hold positions in the companies discussed and this is not a recommendation to buy, hold or sell these companies. Source: Britannia Industries Annual Report. Financial year ends in March. 3 215 car sales data from OICA (International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers). 4 KPMG-FICCI. Emerging Market Experts 5
TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL INVESTMENTS Make in India Narendra Modi became the 15th Prime Minister of India in May 214. After years of economic disappointment in India, Modi s vision of a stronger, pro-business and economy-focused India led him to win the election with the largest majority in over 3 years. Since then, he has embarked on an ambitious plan to modernize India. Included in this plan is the Make in India initiative which was launched in September 214. The goal of Make in India is to transform India into a global manufacturing hub which aims to create 1 million additional manufacturing jobs, boost the global competitiveness of the sector, and raise the manufacturing contribution to GDP from 16% to 25% by 222. 5 A main priority of the initiative is to attract and increase foreign investments by making a number of bold and unprecedented reforms to rules on foreign direct investments (FDI) into India. Reforms include opening up new sectors for foreign investment, easing or removing FDI caps on existing sectors (see sidebar for full list of sectors), and simplifying the FDI policy to improve the ease of doing business for foreign companies. These reforms have helped India become a more attractive investment destination. In 215, India overtook China to become the top FDI destination in the Asia-Pacific region with investments of $63 billion compared to China s $57 billion (chart 5). India has also moved up 16 places on the Global Competitive Index from 215 to 216, 6 another sign that the government s Chart 5: India is the top FDI destination in Asia-Pacific in 215 Other Philippines 3% South Korea 3% Myanmar 3% Malaysia Australia 2% 4% 5% 2% 6% 7% 18% 12% Source: The FDI Report 216. Based on capital investments. reform efforts have improved its business standing around the world. While the speed of reforms is proceeding slower than markets expected, progress has been made. This includes the passage of the Goods and Services Tax Bill which simplifies India s current complicated tax structure and is widely considered to be an important step towards modernizing India. India China Indonesia Vietnam Pakistan 25 Make in India Sectors AUTOMOBILE BIOTECHNOLOGY PHARMACEUTICALS RENEWABLE ENERGY n Automobile Components n Aviation n Chemicals n Construction n Defense Manufacturing n Electrical Machinery n Electronic Systems n Food Processing n IT & Business Process Management n Leather n Media & Entertainment n Mining n Oil & Gas n Ports & Shipping n Railways n Roads & Highways n Space n Textiles & Garments n Thermal Power n Wellness 5 Source: Make in India.com. 6 World Economic Forum. 6 Emerging Market Experts
INDIA: GREAT EXPECTATIONS Investing in India s Dynamic Economy India is poised to become the world s third largest economy by 23. 7 Its fast-growing economy is an indication that the country is likely to have a major role in the global economy and investors have many reasons to be bullish. The Modi government s economic and pro-business initiatives have brought confidence back to India and helped position the country as a very attractive market for investors. Rising incomes are likely to continue to encourage consumption going forward. India s large and diverse consumer base, along with the country s economic reforms and manufacturing focus, presents a vast array of opportunities for investors in sectors ranging from retail to pharmaceuticals to banking. Amid India s enormous investment opportunity, challenges and risks persist. Uncertainty and volatility typically feature in the markets of fast-growing economies. Investors should have a long-term outlook, and the companies that are likely to benefit most from India s growth potential will need to have a deep understanding of local markets, business practices, and cultural preferences. As an emerging markets expert with offices on-the-ground and investment professionals around the world, Mirae Asset has the expertise to identify companies that may succeed and thrive in today s India. To learn more about Mirae Asset s range of actively managed emerging market funds, please visit us at investments.miraeasset.us 7 Cebr Global World Economic League Table. Emerging Market Experts 7
The views and information discussed in this brochure are subject to change and may not reflect the current views of the writer(s). The views expressed represent an assessment of market conditions at a specific point in time, are opinions only and should not be relied upon as investment advice regarding a particular investment or markets in general. Such information does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell specific securities or investment vehicles. It should not be assumed that any investment will be profitable or will equal the performance of the portfolios or any securities or any sectors mentioned herein. The subject matter contained herein has been derived from several sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of compilation. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) refers to an investment made to acquire lasting or long-term interest in enterprises operating outside of the economy of the investor. Global Competitive Index a report from the World Economic Forum that assesses the competitiveness landscape of 138 economies, providing unique insight into the drivers of their productivity and prosperity. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country s borders in a specific time period. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment Risk There can be no guarantee that any investment strategy (risk management or otherwise) will be successful. All investing involves risk, including the potential of loss of principal. Emerging Markets Risk The risks of foreign investments are typically greater in less developed countries, which are sometimes referred to as emerging markets. For example, legal, political and economic structures in these countries may be changing rapidly, which can cause instability and greater risk of loss. These countries are also more likely to experience higher levels of inflation, deflation or currency devaluation, which could hurt their economies and securities markets. For these and other reasons, investments in emerging markets are often considered speculative. Similarly, investors are also subject to foreign securities risks including, but not limited to, the fact that foreign investments may be subject to different and in some circumstances less stringent regulatory and disclosure standards than US investments. An investor should consider the Fund s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. This and other important information about the investment company can be found in the Fund s prospectus. To obtain a prospectus, please contact your financial advisor or call (888) 335-3417. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. Mirae Asset Discovery Funds are distributed by Funds Distributor, LLC. Copyright 216 by Mirae Asset Global Investments. All rights reserved. Mirae Asset Global Investments (USA) LLC n 135 Avenue of the Americas, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 119 n (888) 335-3417 n investments.miraeasset.us MAGI-INGE-916